Zoom Your Way through Zurich: A Layover Itinerary

Zoom Your Way through Zurich: A Layover Itinerary
Kimberlyn
Kimberlyn 
Updated
| 7 min read

Zurich is a funky fusion of industrial chic and old charm, with many personalities and faces for you to explore. But if you’re here for a layover, it’s probably not a good idea to go around introducing yourself to every one of them, unless you actually want to miss your flight. In this list, we’ve tried our best to condense an already compact and rich city further, so you can maximise your time on your layover and get the best out of Zurich.

Stuck at the airport

Flughafen Zürich - Night - 01
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Carlos Delgado used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Only have a few hours to spare and you’re too nervous to leave the airport for the city? If so you’ll be pleased to know that with its diverse range of services, products, and amenities, Zurich Airport (ZRH), the main airport nearest to Zurich, is described as the Swiss army knife of airports.

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1. Kick back and watch planes take off

LSZH view from midfield observation deck 1
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Muvon53 used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Aviation enthusiasts rejoice! Watch the majestic planes take off to the sky at any of the observation decks. Special multimedia binoculars have been specifically developed for Observation Deck B, which helps visitors learn about planes and their functions through graphics and visuals. The surrounding area also has a play area that has aviation-themed equipment that can teach people about flying. But this one’s designed for kids, so it’s probably better if you wait for your actual flight if you want to squeeze in a plane.

Observation Deck B

*Address: Check-In 2 Area, Zurich Airport

Opening Hours: During winter, 10 am - 5 pm. During summer, daily from 9 am - 7 pm

Price: aprox. 1 USD

Duration: around an hour required

Contact: +41 4381673 84

Website: Observation Deck B

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2. Throw a birthday party!

Flughafen Zürich - Zurich Airport (ZRH-LSZH) (20623744663)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user dxme used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Sometimes dates clash, and some kids don’t understand your choice of holiday, and what can make matters worse is when that holiday means they can’t have a birthday bash at home. ‘Why go hiking in the mountains when we could’ve just stayed home and held a party?!’ they might cry. But if you want to assuage their frustrations, Zurich airport has the perfect solution for you.

The airport staff will take your child and the participants of the party (you, probably), on a 45-minute guided tour to see how big a plane is in comparison to their tiny selves. After that tour, the professionally trained staff will take care of your kid in an actual party. Each participant is required to pay 33 USD for the party, which includes an entertainment programme, soft drinks, cake, and party pictures.

It may not be ideal for them not to have any of their friends with them, but the two-hour free airport Wi-Fi makes it easy for them to conduct a video call with their buddies.

Children’s Birthday Party

Price: from 33 USD per person

Duration: around 3 hours required

Website: Children’s Birthday Party

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3. Check out the famous luxury Swiss watches

Mont Blanc watch
Source: Pexels

Understanding the rest of the world’s obsession with Swiss watches, there is a great selection of the luxury accessories available at the passenger zone. Brands include Mont Blanc and Bucherer, who also sell jewellery. Did you know that for now, 50% of a watch’s parts have to be Swiss for it to be considered a Swiss watch? This number is changing to 60% in 2017, making the criteria even more exclusive. But since you are in Switzerland, you can probably trust its certification.

Airside Center

Address: Airside Center, Flughafenstrasse, 8060 Zürich, Switzerland

Opening Hours: 6 am - 10 pm

Duration: around 1 hour

Website: Airside Center

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Zurich Tour Guide

Iuliia Solodenko

Iuliia Solodenko

<p>Learned to read at the age of five. Loved fairy tales.</p><p>For 11 years I studied the cello at the school that Oistrakh graduated from ( I am from Ukraine).</p><p>My favorite lesson at school is history, it is my only passion.</p><p>I dreamed to became an archaeologist, but I graduated from the acting faculty and worked as an actress in the theater.</p><p>In 2008 I moved to Venice. Experience since 2011 in travel companies hosting tourists throughout Italy, as well as France and Switzerland. Thats why even before I moved in Lucerne, I knew Switzerland very well!</p><p>In 2015, in Venice, I received a guide license.</p><p>In 2020 I moved again, this time and Switzerland and now is my home: here I have my family and I continue to work as a guide.</p><p>I promise not to torment you too much with dates and names.</p><p>See you!</p>

4. Take a power nap

For some of us, it’s really difficult to fall asleep in front of a bunch of complete strangers, in an upright seat in a cramped environment. Combine that with thin blankets and the possibility of missing airplane snacks if you fall asleep, and you’ve got yourself a long and restless 6-hour (or more) flight. Enter the transit hotel bedrooms. The place offers simple bedrooms with single beds, a television, and a basin for washing.

If you don’t need a full room, you have the option of taking a nap in the rest area of the transit hotel, which has single beds in cubicles, a locker for you to keep your belongings, and even a money exchange service for small amounts.

Transit Hotel & Dayrooms

Address: Gates B/D, Level 1

Contact: +41 43 816 21 08

Price: from 20 USD

Website: Transit Hotel & Dayrooms

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5. Freshen up with a shower

Transit Hotel Dayrooms
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Pakeha used under CC BY-SA 4.0

After a long-haul flight, maybe instead of a nap, you need something to get rid of that groggy and grimy feeling you get after being stuck in a plane for many hours. Thankfully, Zurich Airport has so many areas to take a shower, and they come with complimentary bathing products as well. A shower will get you clean, ready, and excited for your flight and destination ahead. Here are some places where you can get clean:

At the Transit Hotel at Gate D / Open 24/7. At the Family Services at Gate E / Daily from 7 am to 1 pm . At the Service Center, car park 2, level 1 / Open daily from 6 am to 10 pm. They cost 15 USD per cubicle.

Showering facilities at Transit Hotel

Address: Gates B/D, Level 1

Price:15 USD per shower

Opening Hours: 24/7

Duration: Maximum 30 minutes

Contact: +41 43 816 21 08

Website: Shower facility at Transit Hotel

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Getting out to the city (from 16 USD)

If you have a day or more in Zurich, why not try getting out of the airport? After all, the city is nearby and it’s full of character and places to visit. Here’s how to do so:

Zurich Airport is 10 kilometres (6 miles) from the city centre, and public transport is very efficient here, so you have a lot of great options. But perhaps the best option is to buy a ZurichCARD, which gives you unlimited travel on all forms of public transportation in the city and surrounding region. You can buy it in arrival areas 1 and 2; find a ‘switzerlandinfo+’ counter with red and white lettering on a black background. You can also buy it at service centres and main train stations. Apart from travel perks, the ZurichCARD also provides free access to many museums and sites.

A 24-hour ZurichCARD is 25 (CHF) 25 USD for adults, and 16 CHF (16 USD for children (6-16).

Once you’ve gotten your ZurichCARD, you can take the train from the airport to Zurich Main Station, a 15-minute ride, which will bring you to the city centre and near to main attractions. The main attractions are all walking distance from each other.

ZurichCARD Info

Address: switzerlandinfo+ counter at Arrivals, Zurich Airport

Price: from 16 USD

Opening Hours: 5.45 am - 11.30pm.

Website: ZurichCARD

Taxi2Airport

Taxi2Airport is the easiest and most reliable way to get to and from the airport. Through secure online payments, you can book your airport transfers in advance, saving up to 35% on your journey.

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Things to do in the city

Zurich has charms of old with all its historical buildings and tidy streets, but combined with the sort of advanced efficiency the Swiss are known for internationally. However, it’s very compact and it’s easy to get distracted by everything around you. Here are some top picks for you to explore and stay focused on while you’re there:

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1. Eat and be merry!

Zürich Zeughauskeller
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Paebi used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Zurich has a selection of great local fare and homemade brews, and you’ve got to try some while you’re here. One place with a really good atmosphere and selection of food you could go to is Zeughauskeller. This centuries-old restaurant serves up rich, traditional offerings like sliced veal seared with cream and demiglace (Zürcher Geschnetzeltes), and semolina pudding in a rustic atmosphere. Its infrastructure dates all the way back to 1487. This place is great if you want to take in the beautiful structures of the city and its cuisine at the same time.

Zeughauskeller

Address: Bahnhofstrasse 28A, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland

Opening Hours: 11.30 am - 11 pm

Contact: +41 44 220 15 15

Website: Zeughauskeller

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2. Pretend you're rich

Bahnhofstrasse
Source: Photo by user Patrick Nouhailler used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Near the previously mentioned restaurant, Zeughauskeller, is Zurich’s famous Banhofstrasse. Banhofstrasse means ‘Main Station Street’ in German, and most German-speaking major cities would have one. However, this street is particularly famous as it houses some of the most luxurious retail options in the city against a charming, picturesque backdrop of boulevards and trees. It’s got world-famous artisans and chocolatiers. One brand you can find here is Spruengli, a brand of chocolatiers that prides itself on its light-on-the-palate chocolates. Snatch up some fine candy here; it’s hard to find outside of Switzerland!

Spruengli

Address: Bahnhofstrasse 21, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland

Opening Hours: 7 am - 6.30 pm

Duration: 30 minutes - 1 hour

Contact: +41 44 224 46 46

Website: Spruengli

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3. Bask in the art of the city

After sauntering along Banhofstrasse, head on down to Kunsthaus, which holds one of the world’s largest collections of modern art. This number is only fitting for a city in which Dadaism, a modern art movement that questioned the norms of society, started. Many of the displayed pieces are trying to convey a mood and emotion rather than showing merely aesthetic beauty, so it’s best to take some time to soak in the atmosphere.

Kunsthaus

Address: Heimplatz 1, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland

Opening Hours: 10 am - 6 pm (Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays) 10 am - 8 pm (Wednesdays, Thursdays), not open on Mondays

Contact: +41 44 253 84 84

Website: Kunsthaus Next, you can move on to Grossmuenster, a church built with old traditions and style. Legend says that it is built atop the graves of Zurich’s patron saints, Felix and Regula.

Grossmuenster Church

Address: Grossmünsterplatz, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland

Contact: +41 44 252 59 49

Website: Grossmuenster Church Two minutes away, across the street, is it’s twin, Fraumuenster, which has some of the most beautiful stained glass windows in the region. The windows are a surprisingly recent addition. They were built by Belarussian born artist Marc Chagall in the 1970s. Other features of the building include old frescoes and paintings of Zurich’s patron saints. Step inside for an ethereal and kaleidoscopic experience.

Fraumuenster Church

Address: Münsterhof 2, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland

Contact: +41 44 211 41 00

Website: Fraumuenster

Tip from tour guide

Iuliia

Iuliia
Zurich

Kunsthaus Zürich
Pop in to meditate under Pixel Forest Turicum by Pipilotti Rist, a legend of Swiss video art, in Kunsthaus Zürich. Take advantage of the fact that on Wednesdays, entrance is free. Interestingly, the artist's name is a pseudonym based on the name of her childhood idol, Pippi Longstocking. This exhibit is a light and music miracle, and there is no such thing as too much beauty!
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4. Cruise off into the sunset ... before heading back to the airport

Lake Zürich from Grossmünster
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user B0rder used under CC BY-SA 4.0

If you still have some time (or energy) left after visiting all those churches and eating all that food, what better way to end your short layover in Zurich by taking a relaxing 90-minute cruise along Lake Zurich? Take a 5-minute walk to Lake Zurich Navigation Company’s depot on the waterfront and buy a ticket for a round trip. You can check out the schedules for up to five days in advance. If you have even more time, there’s also a 4-hour round trip all the way to Rapperswil. These boat cruises will take you through the great sights and sounds in the city. The best part of this is that the trip is free with your purchase of the ZurichCARD so you can sit back, relax, and not worry about the price.

Lake Zurich Navigation Company

Address: Bürkliplatz, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland

Price: from 26USD

Duration: 90 minutes

Contact: +0848 988 988

Website: Lake Zurich Navigation Company

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Zurich has much more to discover

Zürich Switzerland-Münsterbrücke-and-Fraumünster-01
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user CEphoto, Uwe Aranas used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Zurich, like its game dishes, rich chocolates, and richer banks, is something that is best slowly savoured. But if you are visiting for a short layover, there is a lot to be seen and enjoyed. Follow the recommendations and consider this list as a mere sample of a rich and soulful city of artists and architects alike. You are going to love what Zurich has to offer!

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Kimberlyn is an avid writer and traveler captivated by intriguing stories and unique locales. Her penchant for memorizing facts and histories complements her creative pursuits. In addition to her...Read more

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